Voltage amplifier



April 11, 1933.

H. G. OESTRICHER VOLTAGE AMPLIFIER Filed Oct. 11 1932 JNVENTORI 7(6) TTORNEY Patented Apr. 11, 1933 UNITED STATES HENRY G. OESTBIGHEB, 011' LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA VOLTAGE AMPLIFIER Application flled October 11, 1982. Serial No. 687,315.

This invention relates to electrical apparatus and more especially to a device ada ted to be introduced in the ignition circuit of spark ignited internal combustion motors.

More definitel the device is of the class of instruments aving for its purpose the voltage amplification of the spark occurring at the usual type of spark plugs used in such circuit.

It is an object to provide a spark amplifier of few and simple arts and construction whereby to make possible the production and sale of these devices at a reasonable price.

Another object is to provide an amplifier in which means is embodied to insure ph sical contact of the interior elements an to provide but a few electrical jump barriers of ver small resistance.

urther, an object is to provide means to partiall externally dissipate heat generated in the evice, as by aid of a metal radiator leading from the interior of the device.

The invention consists in certain advance- .ments in this art as set forth in the ensuing disclosure and having, with the above, additional objects and advantages as hereinafter developed, and whose construction, combination and details of means, and the manner of operation will be made manifest in the description of the herewith illustrative embodiment; it being understood that modifications, variations and adaptations may be resorted to within the scope, principle and spirit of the invention as it is more directly claimed hereinafter.

Figure 1 is side elevation of the amplifier.

Figure 2 is an axial section.

Figure 3 is a plan of a barrier disc.

Figure 4 is an edge view thereof.

In its preferred form the device includes a tough insulative cup or shell 2, such as hard rubber, whose bottom is pierced by a contact bolt 3 with its head 4 engaged by a thin metal disc 5.

This disc is constantly pressed against the head 4 by an open coil spring 6 of metal; the

coil havmg a diameter almost as large as that of the disc 5; this being slightly smaller thanthe wall of the cu 2.

The top of the cup is closed by an insulating plug 7 having a central terminal wire receiving socket 8 at the bottom of which is a contact rivet 9 exposed to engage a top disc 10 which rests on the top of the spring 6.

When the parts are assembled the spring is placed under sufiicient compression. as to firmly hold the discs 5-l0 against the bottom and top contacts 49.

A feature of the invention is that the discs are coated on each face with an insulating, thin layer 11 as of shellac which prevents metal to metal contact and provides the desired gaps in the circuit. It is well known that t e spark effect produces, in time, an insulative residue, effective to cause arrest of current in lieu of the shellac if this be destroyed.

To aid in the partial dissipation of heat the plug 7 is provided with a peripheral groove 12 in which lies an open coil 13 of metal whose ends 14 and 15 pass in through holes 16 in the base of the plug. One end, 14, laps on the tap disc 10 and the other touches the rivet 9. Heat conducted out by the ends of the coil is radiated to the atmosphere.

It is understood that the plug may be held in placefrictionall but preferably it is cemented to insure rm attachment.

What is claimed is:

A spark voltage amplifier including a cup formed of insulative material, a plu closing the top of the cup and having a soc st for a circuit terminal, a contact in said socket, a contact in the bottom of the cup, top and bottom discs in the cup, and means for constantly pressing said discs against the respective contacts; said discs having an electric gap forming medium'on each side.

HENRY G. OESTRICHER. 

